Unlike Peter Jackson’s beloved The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power became controversial right from its very announcement. Even with its first season over, a big question still remains: what’s the deal with Galadriel’s husband? Despite Celeborn appearing in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings, Galadriel confirmed he was “lost” in the war against Morgoth in The Rings of Power. Given Celeborn played a critical role in later stories, it seems like a strange creative decision. However, it’s likely Celeborn’s missing-in-action status was only a means to further The Rings of Power‘s weirdest romance.

Galadriel’s relationship with Halbrand, revealed to be Sauron in The Rings of Power‘s Season 1 finale, was bizarre, to say the least. The two displayed some mild sexual tension throughout the season, causing some Lord of the Rings fans to “ship” the powerful Elf and Dark Lord. While anything goes in the world of fanfiction, a Sauron/Galadriel romance is something Tolkien would never agree with for multiple reasons, which is likely why Celeborn had to go.

Rings of Power Teased Love Between Galadriel and Sauron

Right from Galadriel and Halbrand’s first interaction, there was obvious chemistry between the two. From intense eye contact and fleeting touches to angsty arguments and saving each other, Galadriel and Halbrand went on to embody some serious “will they/won’t they” energy. And if there were any doubts about the romantic angle The Rings of Power leaned into, Season 1 culminated with Halbrand asking Galadriel to be his queen.

As for whether Halbrand actually loved or romantically desired Galadriel is to be determined. Sauron is an expert manipulator and likely sees Galadriel and her power as an asset. In line with the old adage, “Keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer,” he’d rather have her on his side than against him. This was how Halbrand/Sauron actor Charlie Vickers played the part, saying he believed the proposition to become his queen came “from a place of selfishness.” Regardless, Galadriel denied the proposal. However, her answer did not come without hesitancy — which was exactly why Celeborn needed to be out of the picture.

Celeborn might not be dead, but it was important that Galadriel suspected he could be. This left Galadriel free to even entertain the idea of a relationship — whatever that might look like — with Sauron. With Tolkien’s Catholic morals playing a major role in The Lord of the Rings universe, it was the only way a teased Galadriel/Sauron romance could have worked at all.

Tolkien’s Lore Makes a Galadriel and Sauron Romance Out of the Question

In Tolkien’s source material, Elves not only marry for love but for life. Much like Catholicism, monogamy was rule, adultery was a major no-no, and pre-martial sex went against their nature. In fact, Elves were forbidden from re-marrying even after a spouse’s death, with Finwë being a notable exception. Thus, even with Celeborn dead or lost in The Rings of Power, another relationship — even one apart from Saron — would be frowned upon. Not to mention Elves were resistant to lust and the “desires of the body,” unlike Men.

With that in mind, Galadriel and Sauron’s longing gazes were a big stretch, at least in the context of romance. Still, The Rings of Power‘s proposal scene wasn’t completely out of left field. Sauron seemed to genuinely feel a connection to her, and part of that came from sensing the darkness inside of Galadriel. In that regard, his offer was really a seduction to the dark side. It marked an important character-building moment for Galadriel to shoot down Sauron’s tempting promise to “bind her to power.”

With Celeborn in the picture, the impact of this moment would never have been fully realized. The Rings of Power‘s changes — although vast — allowed Galadriel to reject Sauron’s inability (or perhaps reluctance) to acknowledge the difference between ruling and saving. Overall, it was a lot more climatic than her just brushing him off by saying, “Oh, I’m married. Sorry.”